GIF Editor

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.7 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Advanced cross-platform desktop editing
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Supported platforms
  Linux (AppImage, deb, rpm, Flatpak)
• Facts checked
  23 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Layer-based editing with overlays, transforms, and keyframes
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Exports to GIF, video, and still-image formats

• Where it doesn't

  • Screen recording is outside its stated editing workflow
  • FFmpeg support is optional for video import and export
  • Its desktop focus may exceed the needs of simple GIF tasks

Our verdict on GIF Editor

GIF Editor is an open-source desktop application for editing animated GIFs, videos, and images. It is aimed at creators who need more control than basic frame-by-frame changes, with a layer-based compositing model for image, text, and flare overlays. The application imports GIF, MP4, WebM, PNG, JPG, and WebP files, then supports frame management, animated overlays, transforms, keyframes, and real-time preview. Its cross-platform support covers Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the software is distributed under the MIT License.

Editing depth is the main reason to consider GIF Editor. Users can scale, skew, rotate, and flip content through affine transforms, while keyframe animation controls position and opacity. Animated GIF overlays can be synchronized with the timeline, and frame tools support selection, deletion, restoration, and duplication. Undo and redo history add control during editing. The canvas-based preview helps review compositions before export. This makes GIF Editor a fit for layered animations, composited clips, and projects that move between image and video formats rather than simple one-step GIF conversion.

Its export range is broad: GIF Editor can export GIF, MP4, WebM, PNG, JPEG, and WebP files. Optional FFmpeg-based video import and export can preserve audio, adding a video-oriented path to the application. The workflow is centered on imported media and desktop editing, so it suits users who already have source files and want detailed control over frames, overlays, and motion. Choose it for free, open-source editing across the three supported desktop platforms; choose another tool if screen capture or a simpler, narrowly focused GIF workflow is the priority.

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GIF Editor pricing

GIF Editor fact sheet

Alternatives to GIF Editor

• EzgifA free, watermark-free browser toolkit covering GIF creation, editing, conversion, and optimization.9.4
• GGIFFA deep free browser editor for animated visuals, with no screen-recording workflow.9.2
• ImgPlayA versatile mobile GIF editor with broad media imports, exports, and sharing options.9.1

See all GIF Editor alternatives →

GIF Editor vs the competition

• GEGIF Editor vs Ezgif
• GEGIF Editor vs GGIFF
• GEGIF Editor vs ImgPlay
• GEGIF Editor vs FlexClip
• GEGIF Editor vs Honeycam
• GESGIF Editor vs ScreenToGif

Compare GIF Editor with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

GIF Editor is listed in our GIF Maker Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update